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Son Runs Marathon to Honor Hairdresser Dad Lost to MND
20 Apr
Summary
- A son is running the Leeds Marathon to honor his late father.
- His father, a well-known hairdresser, died from MND four months after diagnosis.
- The marathon raises funds for MND research and patient support.
Matt Thomas is set to participate in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon next month, a poignant tribute to his father, David Thomas, a renowned Lancashire hairdresser. David passed away on April 10th, having been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in December of the previous year.
Motivated by his father's illness and death, Matt decided to run the marathon, named in honor of rugby league star Rob Burrow who also succumbed to MND. The event, launched in 2023, aims to champion research and support for those affected by the disease.
David Thomas, who owned hair salons across Lancashire for four decades, is remembered by his son as a "bubbly character" and the "life and soul" of any gathering. Matt shared that his father was incredibly encouraging and made him believe in himself. The family has been deeply moved by the extensive messages of support received since David's passing.
MND is a progressive condition that leads to muscle weakness and is typically life-shortening, with no known cure but manageable symptoms. Matt expressed that while he will miss sharing a beer with his father, he knows David would want him to complete the marathon.
